Pair arrested after car windows smashed

JOHN BISSET/Timaru Herald

ROPEABLE: Don Deeks was fuming when he found his car windscreen had been smashed by vandals early yesterday. About 20 cars were targeted around Timaru.

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A night of vandalism has left 20 car owners with smashed windows and two Christchurch men a date with the district court today.

Police accuse the pair, aged 29 and 22, of smashing windows of vehicles parked on Timaru streets early yesterday and made the arrests about midday.

Officers had been canvassing homes in Otipua Rd, Park Ln, Cambridge, Selwyn, Wilson, Rolleston, St George and Cain streets, where residents woke to find one or more of their car windows broken, with glass covering the road and the vehicles' interiors.

Don Deeks was one driver whose morning started badly. "I heard a noise about 3.30am. I'm sure that's when it happened. It was just a thump so I thought it was just someone slamming a car door.

"Isn't it ridiculous that you're dealing with people who do this for no bloody reason."

Sergeant Greg Sutherland, of Timaru, said the two accused first came to officers' attention in Domain Ave. Police chased them into the Botanic Gardens about 4am, but they escaped. They were later found by police.

Earlier in the night, the 29-year-old was charged for driving drunk. His breath alcohol limit was 528mcg; the legal limit is 400mcg.

Both have been charged over the damage to the cars and for theft of a road sign. They are to appear in the Timaru District Court today for a bail hearing.

- © Fairfax NZ News